SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey discusses future of conference schedules
ATLANTA, Georgia — There’s a lot of things up in the air for the SEC and college football as a whole.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey discussed one of those questions in depth during his Monday press conference at SEC Media Days — the future of the SEC’s conference schedule.
While the SEC features an eight-game conference schedule for all 16 teams, discussions continue regarding whether the conference should implement a nine-game schedule beginning as soon as 2026. Sankey said that decision will come sooner rather than later.
“It won’t linger terribly much longer,” Sankey said. “We have to make decisions about the ’26 season and adjust. If we’re going to go to nine games, then there have to be games moved or rescheduled. If we stay at eight, probably a little easier on that part of the logistics. Once we make a decision in the conference office, we’re pretty much ready to go.”
The SEC is entering its second season as a 16-team conference, with each team playing eight conference foes. The Big Ten and the Big 12 each play nine conference games, while the ACC plays eight.
While the SEC plays one fewer conference game compared to the Big Ten and Big 12, Sankey pushed back on the notion that the scheduling model needs to change. Sankey pointed to the strength of schedule for SEC teams, and the conference directs programs to schedule at least one non-conference game each season against a Power 4 team. Last season, the SEC had three teams in the 12-team playoff — Georgia, Texas and Tennessee.
Sankey said learning how the CFP Committee evaluates strength of schedule and “strength of record” will be pivotal in future decision making.
“Last season, all 16 members of the Southeastern Conference played at least nine games against what you would label “power opponents,” Sankey said. “We had several that played 10 of their 12 games against power opponents. Some conferences have that, some don’t.”
“… I don’t believe there’s anyone looking to swap their conference schedule and its opponents with the opponents played by SEC Conference teams in our conference schedule, be it eight or nine.”
Changing to a nine-game schedule in 2026 would have a significant impact on most SEC teams, including on Oklahoma.
The Sooners have three non-conference games scheduled for next season, including home contests against UTEP and New Mexico along with a trip to Michigan. If the league holds firm with an eight-game schedule, the Sooners will need to schedule an additional non-conference contest.
“We have to make decisions about the ’26 season and adjust,” Sankey said. “If we’re going to go to nine games, then there have to be games moved or rescheduled. If we stay at eight, probably a little easier on that part of the logistics. Once we make a decision in the conference office, we’re pretty much ready to go.
Discussions are ongoing about the future of SEC scheduling — and the possibility of further CFP expansion — but Sankey reiterated that the conference won’t feel pressured to make certain decisions.
We have to make decisions about the ’26 season and adjust. If we’re going to go to nine games, then there have to be games moved or rescheduled. If we stay at eight, probably a little easier on that part of the logistics. Once we make a decision in the conference office, we’re pretty much ready to go.
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